TRADERS in Billericay will be prevented from introducing “garish” colour schemes and inappropriate shopfronts after a new design guide was approved.

Basildon Council’s cabinet has approved the guide, which will govern properties in the town centre conservation area.

The area, which has been designated since 1969, includes High Street, Chapel Street and surrounding roads.

A public consultation showed many retailers “do not make a positive contribution to the conservation area”.

Richard Moore, councillor responsible for planning, said: “I have been concerned about tenants and residents ignoring the fact they live in a conservation area. We had a public consultation and the majority of people welcomed the guidance.

“Architectural features, such as distinctive windows, doors and other characteristic details are important to Billericay’s historic character and should be protected.”

The Billericay Society, which campaigns to preserve and enhance the town, described the High Street as a “mish-mash of different designs” in its consultation submission.

Society chairman David Bremner said: “The main thing is to get a degree of uniformity, with nothing standing out in a garish manner.

“We want to reduce the amount of A-boards in the street and minimise the number of large signs, which distract people when driving.”

The design guide says shopfronts should reflect the character of the overall building, meaning applications to restore them to their original style would be supported.

It also calls for signage and colour schemes to be mostly green, black and brown, to fit in with the area.

Freestanding signs and temporary banners are described as “clutter” in the guide, which will be used to help determine future planning applications.

Council leader Phil Turner said: “It doesn’t need huge-scale regeneration, but Billericay needs looking after.”

The guide states building work from the Forties up to the Nineties had “little to no regard to the past heritage”.

Buildings constructed during the period include 8-10 High Street, occupied by Billericay Homecare.

More recent buildings, such as Waitrose, are praised for adopting a more traditional style, keeping with the town’s Edwardian and Victorian heritage.